Video & Transcript : 'county participation' :

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health & Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are five counties in this state that are not PEBB counties.
  • Limiting participation in competitive counties would reduce consumer choice and disrupt market competition
  • They have one carrier in that county. So at this time, there are no bare counties.
  • This would have increased carrier participation in low-access counties.
  • Requiring carriers to participate in counties with extreme provider consolidation tips the negotiation
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 15th, 2026

Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • And thank you so much, Senator, for participating in this subcommittee.
  • What caused employee participation to become so important about that?
  • planning, and participation in the PSM teams.
  • Katie Bruce with Contra Costa County Fire in support.
  • Danny Barrett, UA Local 343, Napa-Solano County organizer, in support.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • County, and Surry County, 82nd District.
  • I serve as the county attorney in Surry County, and I am the local government representative on the council
  • I serve as the county attorney in Surrey County, and I am the local government representative on the
  • So it counts any member who is participating electronically as long as it's an approved participation
  • We're already implementing updated training in Fairfax County.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And it may not always be obvious, but every county relies on and participates in Washington agriculture
  • And it may not always be obvious, but every county relies on and participates in Washington agriculture
  • We serve over 208,000 participants in Washington.
  • program, but also recruit clinics and counties that aren't yet participating.
  • program, but also recruit clinics and counties that aren't yet participating.
Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • So would government entities be able to participate? City, county, state agencies?
  • Is there a limit to the participation overall, and is there a limit to the participation by site, by
  • Madam Chair, we've got places like Luna County where the participation rates and unemployment rates are
  • tremendous, or Grant County, or, you know, how are the 33 counties together going to fair share?
  • And then there's some counties that are, like, Catherine, one of mine, my county manager, where, you're
Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Local Government Jan 28th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The district includes all of the participating cities as well as unincorporated portions of any counties
  • Generally, King County and the cities in King County cannot participate in the formation of a PFD.
  • The district includes all of the participating cities as well as unincorporated portions of any counties
  • Generally, King County and the cities in King County cannot participate in the formation of a PFD.
  • plan, the impacts of the siding must be mitigated, and the county must be a participant in a multi-county
Summary: The committee held public hearings on several local government bills, with most of the discussion focused on HB 2480, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and limit local requirements for ground-floor retail or mixed-use conditions. The bill sponsor and supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, Governor’s Office, Commerce, builders, business groups, and housing advocates, argued it would unlock underused commercial land, reduce housing costs, and help address Washington’s housing shortage. Opponents and some cities said the bill could undermine local planning, walkable mixed-use centers, tax base, and neighborhood retail, and asked for more exemptions or narrower application. Several speakers supported the proposed substitute as a compromise, while others urged not to weaken the bill further. No vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 2223, which would create an exception to the conflict-of-interest rules for irrigation district directors whose spouses work for a district contract, modeled on an existing exception for public hospital district commissioners. The sponsor and the Washington State Water Resources Association said the change would help irrigation districts recruit and retain volunteer board members in rural areas while preserving disclosure and recusal requirements. The hearing was brief and no action was taken. HB 2530 would extend the deadline for forming a public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028. Supporters from Olympia and Tumwater said the extension would give local governments more time to collaborate and pursue an aquatic center that has long been a community priority; one testifier said removing the deadline entirely would also be acceptable. The committee then heard HB 2459, which would expand authority to site certain schools outside urban growth areas and extend utilities to serve them. Supporters, especially representatives of the Tahoma School District and related groups, said the bill would let districts use land they already own to relieve overcrowding. Opponents, including Futurewise, argued it would weaken Growth Management Act planning and local multicounty policies and should remain a local process. Finally, HB 2129 on agritourism was briefly heard, with the sponsor describing it as a way to help farms stay viable and preserve rural character; the committee heard supportive comments about farm preservation and openness to a work group or amendments. No votes or final actions were taken on these bills during the hearing.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee May 6th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • In March, Maricopa County, Arizona election officials were served a subpoena from the FBI for records
  • In March, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized more than 600,000 voted ballots from last year's
  • They create real fear around whether it's safe to participate in our democracy at all.
  • They create real fear around whether it's safe to participate in our democracy at all.
  • They create real fear around whether it's safe to participate in our democracy at all.
Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard one item, Senate Bill 73 by Senator Cervantes, and took up committee and Elections Committee amendments. The bill was described as strengthening protections against interference in elections by extending restrictions to military personnel at polling places, protecting the chain of custody of voted ballots, and limiting law enforcement access to voting machines and voter rosters without a court order. The chair explained that the committee amendments would remove certain criminal penalties for peace officers, restore a uniform requirement for some polling-place personnel, and clarify the effect of objections by the Secretary of State or Attorney General. The author and supporters, including API Force and CHIRLA, argued the bill was needed to respond to threats of intimidation and election interference, citing concerns about armed personnel at polling places and the Riverside County sheriff’s seizure of ballots. Supporters said the measure would protect voters, especially immigrant communities and in-person voters, and preserve confidence in election administration. Opposition from the California State Sheriffs’ Association and CALA argued the bill was vague, could hinder lawful criminal investigations, and improperly restrict law enforcement and federal election oversight. After closing remarks, the committee voted to pass SB 73 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The vote was 6-1, with one member not voting. The chair and another member recommended an aye, while one member voted no.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Adult drug courts operate in all 120 counties and serve more than 2,600 participants each year.
  • . counties. counties.
  • Participants describe challenges such as transportation needs that leave some counties without coverage
  • We see that more with border counties, Kenton County, Christian County, Daviess County, some of those
  • c><01:36:39.840><c> County,</c> County, Christian County, Davis County, County, Christian County, Davis
Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs. Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them. A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C. During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • County.
  • multiple districts in very different areas of the county.
  • I live in Placer County.
  • County overseeing 500 youth service providers.
  • Thank you, and we appreciate your participation.
Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Increased breakfast participation and increased menu variety.
  • I live in Placer County.
  • County overseeing 500 youth service providers.
  • County overseeing 500 youth service providers.
  • Thank you, and we appreciate your participation.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Some people may simply prefer not to participate in certain programs. Others.
  • Some people may simply prefer not to participate in certain programs.
  • Amanda Kirchner with County Welfare Directors Association.
  • This is the quickest hearing you will ever participate in.
  • , and every one of you who have been participating in this process.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an overview of efforts to streamline access to safety net programs and move toward more automatic, person-centered enrollment. CDSS, DHCS, and CalHHS described current cross-enrollment between Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs, including data showing high overlap among programs and a text-message outreach pilot that increased CalWORKs applications and enrollments but reached only a small share of potentially eligible people. Witnesses emphasized barriers such as differing federal eligibility rules, data-sharing limits, privacy concerns, and the need for better technology, consent management, and stakeholder engagement. Members pressed the administration on how to institutionalize these efforts across administrations and asked for concrete budgetary and regulatory steps to support “no wrong door” enrollment and automatic referrals. The committee also reviewed several chair priorities. On the proposed foster care multi-agency office, CDSS said existing coordination structures already address much of the intended work and asked to verify prior fiscal scoring. On the Employment First Office, CalHHS explained that the office’s $1 million budget was eliminated in the 2024-25 budget as part of deficit reductions, while noting that employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remains an administration priority through existing departmental coordination. For the food insecurity proposal, CDSS said it could provide technical assistance but would need new data-sharing agreements, could not separately calculate a CFAP participation rate with current data, and would likely need until July 1, 2027, plus ongoing staffing, to complete the requested report. The mandated reporter proposal drew support for reform, with CDSS estimating low-millions in one-time training costs and ongoing costs in the hundreds of thousands. The subcommittee also discussed a guaranteed income proposal. CalHHS suggested drafting new statutory language and considering a county-administered model rather than a state-run competitive grant process to reduce administrative burden, while members and public commenters urged support for AB 661 and a study of a permanent statewide guaranteed income program. Public testimony also supported automatic enrollment, community-supporting mandated reporting reforms, and cash assistance for fire recovery. In the final items, CSD described how local nonprofit partners helped during the Los Angeles fires with food, housing vouchers, transportation, and emergency energy assistance, and explained that LIHEAP and CSBG remain important but limited tools for disaster response. CSD also said recent federal staffing cuts and possible future federal budget threats could affect LIHEAP and CSBG administration, though no immediate service disruptions had occurred and additional LIHEAP funds were expected to be released soon.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Care & Wellness Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health Care & Wellness

Transcript Highlights:
  • Carriers are reassessing their participation in these different counties, and that's not hypothetical
  • Carriers are reassessing their participation in these different counties, and that's not hypothetical
  • This is so important, especially for our smaller and rural counties, including San Juan County.
  • And to the issue of bare counties or single-carrier counties, back in 2018, some of you will remember
  • about all the rural counties.
Bills: SB5877 , SB5904 , SB5988
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (05/13/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> rather than simply participating rather than simply participating remotely.<01:13:27.600><c> Um<
  • Um and any subject County.
  • in non-in-person participation.
  • in non-in-person participation.
  • We also think the participation.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • In speaking with my county, Riverside County, as you mentioned, is one of the examples.
  • H-DAP counties participating in H-DAP utilized $102 million; that was in 2023-24.
  • We call counties on wait and guess, and counties are already stretched thin.
  • We call counties on wait and guess, and counties are already stretched thin.
  • The county is doing all it can in terms of individualized and personalized outreach to our participants
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused on the impacts of federal HR1 on CalFresh and Medi-Cal, along with related state mitigation efforts. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, county representatives, LAO, and Finance discussed automatic exemptions, data-sharing between departments, county workload, and the timing of implementation. CDSS said about two-thirds of adults ages 18 to 64 are already known to be exempt in CalFresh, and that administrative data matches could newly exempt about 200,000 of the roughly 955,000 adults potentially at risk. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would begin in 2027 and the department is working to automate exemptions, including for IHSS recipients and some caregivers, while DDS said its population is expected to be covered by auto-exemptions. County welfare directors emphasized that individualized worker contact is critical, that counties need more staffing and stable funding, and that without it they expect delays, higher error rates, and reduced exemption screening capacity. Members pressed for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and clearer guidance; the administration said it would provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a separate discussion on a proposed CFAP expansion or “CFAP Plus” concept to provide state-funded benefits to additional populations affected by HR1, including lawfully present non-citizens and ABODs. CDSS said implementation could not occur before October 1, 2027 because of policy and system-design constraints, and that adding unique eligibility rules would increase complexity and cost. Finance cautioned that any expansion would have General Fund impacts likely in the hundreds of millions to multiple billions. Members asked for cost estimates and technical feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS said it would review the proposal and respond. The hearing also covered CDSS’s CalFresh strategic plan and mandated reporter training updates. CDSS said it is hiring a strategic plan lead to develop a long-term, data-informed CalFresh plan, and that the revised mandated reporter training is on track for launch in fall/winter 2026, ahead of the July 1, 2027 statutory deadline. The training will include updated content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting families. Members praised the work and asked for continued updates. Later panels focused on Promise Neighborhoods, Stop the Hate, and housing programs. Promise Neighborhood advocates and CDSS described the state’s prior $12 million investment, a positive evaluation showing roughly a 4-to-1 return, and a new proposal to support place-based partnerships and community schools through AB 1969. Stop the Hate grantees and CDSS reported that the program has provided direct services, prevention, and statewide coordination to millions of Californians, and urged reauthorization before funding expires; members asked for best-practice language and discussed focusing future funding on solidarity work, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS presented on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, saying proposed General Fund investments of $105 million and $55 million would prevent funding cliffs and allow the programs to continue through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in housing assistance, subsidies, and enrollments.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Education. (2-26-26)

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have Butler County, Breenidge County, and Me County.
  • </c> County, Breenidge County, and Me County. County, Breenidge County, and Me County.
  • Certainly, in counties like Fayette County, my home county, Jefferson County, counties up where you live
  • 09:43.360><c> Jefferson</c> County, my home county, Jefferson County, my home county, Jefferson County
  • </c><00:10:36.079><c> public</c> County other than Nicholas County public County other than Nicholas
Committee: Senate Education
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Apr 2nd, 2025 at 10:00 am

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the program, become a participating program or participating school.
  • The assessment is up to the school, the non- or the participating school.
  • student's graduation or termination from participation.
  • in the ESA program through graduation or non-participation.
  • If the county chooses to use a school, that they work that out.
Committee: Senate Education
Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1540, an education savings account bill. Senator Wobbema presented Amendment 040-003, describing mostly clarifying and reorganizing changes, including eligibility language, administrator duties, school participation standards, assessment provisions, and a correction removing a requirement that the department pay for state assessment materials if a parent selected that option. The committee adopted the amendment 4-2, then advanced HB 1540 as amended on a 4-2 vote and sent it to Appropriations, with Senator Wobbema designated as carrier. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it would divert resources from public schools and conflict with the state’s obligation to provide a free appropriate education while districts still face funding needs.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Jan 28th, 2026 at 03:17 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • that live in the county, not outside, live in the county—200 local employees.
  • I am a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Lee County. I have lived in Lee County for 20 years.
  • I've had the opportunity to visit Milan and Cibola County quite often. ...visit Milan and Cibola County
  • Before redistricting, I used to represent Torrance County, and the Torrance County Detention Center was
  • the facility in Cibola County.
Bills: SB100
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Elections Jan 13th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Carroll County, where I live. Livingston, Linn, and Ray counties. Very rural.
  • Charles County, but every county, even rural counties. that we, we as an association, really like, we'd
  • Charles County, but every county, even rural counties. It was insanity, not just in St.
  • Charles County, but every county, even rural counties, because how many people were trying to come in
  • Charles County and Mr.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Budget Section Mar 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Transcript Highlights:
  • Executive branch agencies were asked if they wanted to participate, and they had the option to participate
  • This resource is someone who participated in and helped to lead... ...is someone who participated in
  • Then we reached out to the counties and asked the counties to prioritize, based on that list, which projects
  • For example, you know, 19.5% for grants to counties and city projects and non-oil-producing counties—was
  • That's a county. The county decides that.
Summary: The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff. The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits. The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/18/26

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are 43, 41 counties that um um um had the CAP program all over our counties and um most of the
  • There are 43, 41 counties that um um um had the CAP program all over our counties and um most of the
  • '</c> showed good results for participants' showed good results for participants' employment<00:04:54.160
  • </c> 2022 and has grown from 62 participants 2022 and has grown from 62 participants in<00:05:01.040>
  • </c> family owned, covering its 87 counties. family owned, covering its 87 counties.